DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 10, 8 January 1913, Page 5

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

"IT IS OUR TURN NOW." The Pall Mall Gazette interprets Mr Massey’s speech : "The ranging of the States of the British Empire by the side of tire Mother Country for the defence of their common interests is the great--est fact in the world-politics of today. While the Canadian Parliament lias been debating the subject, and while the South African Government is taking counsel with the Admiralty, New Zealand, the pioneer of the Imperial Navy, is preparing for another step in advance. Mr Massey has just made a most important pronouncement. When the payments for the New Zealand have been made, he announced, the Dominion will not decrease its contribution. The order for a second ship is thus clearly indicated. Mr Massey looks to the day when Canada, Australia, and New Zealand will control the Pacific. "It rests with us in the Mother Country to make or mar this unparalleled movement. r J he true principle has been laid down quite clearly by| Mr Churchill and endorsed by Mr Borden. It is that the Mother Country should undertake single-handed that part which would be equally imperative to her if the realm of King George consisted merely of these islands (bv doing which she Avill defend | the whole Empire against danger from Europe), while the Dominions shall undertake the defence of those interests which accrue particularly from our Imperial position. Nothing has been seen more wonderful than the simultaneous awakening of the Imperial consciousness in the voung nations; nothing more magnificent than the fruit of the long labours of the Canadian patriots now fast ripening. It is our turn now. The fruit may yet be nipped by the chilly frost of indifference if, while they are acting, we of the Old Country ‘stand in a rnarnmering and at a stay.’ ”